By Representatives O'Connell of Taunton and Holmes of Boston, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Shaunna O'Connell, Russell E. Holmes and others for legislation to further regulate the use of electronic benefit transfer cards and establish penalties for certain prohibited transactions. The Judiciary.

By Mr. Russell Holmes of Boston, petition (accompanied by proposal for constitutional amendment, House, No. 01319) of Russell Holmes and others for a legislative amendment to the Constitution relative to the oaths and affirmations of public office. Joint Committee on the Judiciary.

By Representative Holmes of Boston and Senator Hart, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2995) of Russell E. Holmes and others relative to foreclosed property purchased or taken for non-payment of taxes. Revenue.

By Messrs. Scaccia of Boston and Holmes, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3632) of Angelo M. Scaccia, Russell E. Holmes and Michael F. Rush relative to the authority of police officers of the city of Boston and the town of Dedham. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

By Mr. Holmes of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3693) of Russell Holmes (with the approval of the mayor and city council) relative to the date for filing of residential exemptions, personal exemptions and tax deferrals on residential real property in the city of Boston. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]

Bill

Docket

Bill Title

HD4394

By Mr. O'Flaherty of Chelsea, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Eugene L. O'Flaherty, Martha M. Coakley and others relative to the suspension of driver's licenses for refusing to take a breathalyzer test. Transportation.

By Mr. Bastien of Gardner, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 101) of Richard Bastien and others relative to the boundaries of relevant market areas of automobile dealerships. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

By Mr. Mariano of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 469) of Ronald Mariano and others for legislation to provide for comprehensive protection from childhood sexual abuse. The Judiciary.

By Mr. Sannicandro of Ashland, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 541) of Tom Sannicandro and others for legislation to include family child care providers under certain collective bargaining laws governing public employees. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

By Mr. Montigny, petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 827) of Mark C. Montigny, Russell Holmes, Alice Hanlon Peisch and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the commercial exploitation of people [Joint Committee on the Judiciary].

By Ms. Chang-Diaz, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1195) of Sonia Chang-Diaz, Linda Dorcena Forry, Cory Atkins, Russell E. Holmes and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the prevention of illegal trafficking and gun violence among youth in the Commonwealth. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

By Representatives Levy of Marlborough and O'Connell of Taunton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1334) of Steven L. Levy, Shaunna L. O'Connell and others relative to the safe placement of newborn infants. The Judiciary.

By Representative Forry of Boston and Senator Hart, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1393) of Linda Dorcena Forry, John A. Hart and others for legislation to establish a "right to know" policy for certain temporary employees. Labor and Workforce Development.

By Messrs. Sánchez of Boston and Rushing, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1517) of Jeffrey Sánchez, Byron Rushing and others for legislation to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities. Public Health.

By Ms. Chang-Diaz, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1568) of Sonia Chang-Diaz, Antonio F. D. Cabral, James B. Eldridge, Linda Dorcena Forry and other members of the General Court for legislation to create equitable job access. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

By Mr. Swan of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1780) of Benjamin Swan and others for legislation to authorize the acquisition of land for the development and construction of an underground railroad, and a civil rights and black heritage museum in the city of Springfield. Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.

By Ms. Story of Amherst, petition (accompanied by proposal for constitutional amendment, House, No. 01826) of Ellen Story and Russell Holmes for a legislative amendment to the Constitution relative to the retirement of judges. The Judiciary.

By Ms. Forry of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1858) of Linda Dorcena Forry and others for legislation to promote asset development in transitional assistance programs. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

By Mr. Moran of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1979) of Michael J. Moran and others for legislation to authorize persons to pre-register to vote prior to their eighteenth birthday. Election Laws.

By Mr. Moran of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1980) of Michael J. Moran and others for legislation to authorize local boards of registrars to perform random audits of election results in precincts. Election Laws.

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. ) of Bruce E. Tarr, Bradley H. Jones, Jr., Robert L. Hedlund, Michael R. Knapik and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote motor vehicle safety. The Judiciary.

By Mr. Henriquez of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2118) of Carlos Henriquez and others for legislation to establish procedures and guidelines for the prevention of homelessness. Housing.

By Mr. Coppinger of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2389) of Sal N. DiDomenico, Edward F. Coppinger and Russell E. Holmes (with the approval of the mayor and city council) relative to the certification and training of fire service personnel in the city of Boston. Public Safety and Homeland Security. [Local Approval Received.]

By Mr. Basile of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3559) of Carlo Basile and others relative to the punishment for the use of firearms, explosive devices or chemical weapons while committing a felony. The Judiciary.

By Messrs. Henriquez of Boston and Coppinger of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3846) of Carlos Henriquez, Edward F. Coppinger and others (with the approval of the mayor and city council) for legislation to increase the compulsory age of school attendance in the city of Boston to eighteen years of age. Education. [Local Approval Received.]

Elected in November 2010, Russell Holmes represents Massachusetts’ Sixth Suffolk District, which includes a
portion of the communities of Dorchester, Mattapan, Hyde Park, Roslindale, and Jamaica Plain.

At an early age, Russell learned the importance of community involvement from one of his first mentors in life,
Lenzer Evans. Mr. Evans owned Brigham’s Ice Cream in Mattapan Square, which provided the first
employment opportunity for many young people in the community, including Russell. Mr. Evans taught all his
young employees that work was not just a means for getting ahead, but that they must also leave the community
better than the way they found it. From the small corner bench in his shop, Mr. Evans met with state and city
leaders to discuss policy and public affairs. Mr. Evans encouraged Russell to participate as well.

Russell remembered the lessons of his youth about the importance of community and purchased his first home
in Mattapan. Soon after, he began to get involved in public service and civic activism when he decided that the
streets in his community could use some upkeep. Enlisting the help of his neighbors, Russell grew his street
cleaning initiative into a community-wide operation that culminated in a partnership with Mayor Menino.
As a community leader, Russell has worked passionately on issues related to local economic development,
education, and public transportation. He chaired the Mattapan Library Task Force, which brought Boston’s first
new public library since 2001.

In 2007, Russell chaired the Mattapan Economic Development Initiative (MEDI) and was an instrumental force
in developing a new set of building codes to attract businesses to the community. More recently, the team won a
federal Main Streets designation for Mattapan Square. This accomplishment will allow the community to tap
into city funds to repair storefronts and improve buildings. In addition, the community will develop a holistic
marketing strategy for the surrounding business district.
Russell loves volunteering. In addition to teaching Sunday school at the church of Christ in Roxbury, Russell
has mentored 18 to 22 year-olds, serving as a male role model and coach on the transition from adolescence to
adulthood. He has tutored elementary, high school, and college students on academic and life skills and has
served as a Big Brother in Big Brother Big Sisters.
Russell graduated from Boston University with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1992, and he received his
MBA from Northeastern in 2000. He currently works as a Certified Financial Planner with Ameriprise. When
he is away from the State House, you can usually find Russell working on local initiatives, teaching Sunday
school with his wife Sheree, and knocking on doors to listen to the concerns of his constituents.

Personal Information

Profession:

Certified Financial Planner, Legislator

Spouse:

Sheree Holmes

Religion:

Christian, Church of Christ

Interests:

Golf, Tennis, Community Service

Career Highlights

Treasurer of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Caucus, Treasurer of the 187th General Court of the Commonwealth freshman class

Certificate, Emerging Leaders program at University of Virginia Darden School of Business, Certificate, 2012 Healthcare summit at John Hopkins Medicine

Member of the Judiciary Committee 2012-2013, Member of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card Commission

Member of Public Housing Sustainability and Reform Advisory Committee, Vice Chairman in his Sophomore year as a legislator